One lucky person is $2 billion richer after a winning Powerball ticket was sold in Altadena, California at Joe’s Service Center, lottery officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The winner of the record-setting jackpot matched all six numbers: 10, 33, 41, 47, 56, and the red Powerball 10. The power play multiplier was 2x.
They have the option between an annuitized prize of $2.04 billion or a lump sum payment of $997.6 million, both options before taxes.
The winning numbers for the Powerball drawing on Monday were released Tuesday morning after being delayed due to a security protocol issue.
This reportedly involved a participating lottery having issues processing sales and play data.
“Tonight’s Powerball drawing has been delayed due to a participating lottery needing extra time to complete the required security protocols. Powerball has strict security requirements that must be met by all 48 lotteries before a drawing can occur,” the Multi-state Lottery Association said in a statement.
“When the required security protocols are complete, the drawing will be performed under the supervision of lottery security officials and independent auditors. Winning numbers will be posted as soon as they are available,” the association added.
Minnesota Lottery officials have since taken the blame, as their sales verification system experienced a processing delay amid “unprecedented lottery interest,” according to a statement.
“The delay was necessary to confirm the Powerball drawing could be conducted securely and accurately. At no time was the integrity of the process compromised,” they explained.
There was at least one winning ticket matching five lottery numbers aside from the Powerball sold in Texas. According to Powerball, there were 22 of these winning tickets, each with a cash value of $1 million, sold in 16 different states.
Powerball is played in 45 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
In the history of Powerball, Texas has only ever had two winners.
